Learning and Practicing African Music in the Global Context: A Survey of Meki Nzewi's Approach

Abstract

In his book - Learning the Musical Arts in the Contemporary Africa informed by Indigenous Knowledge System (presented in two volumes), Nzewi completely provides in a simple, practical and dynamic approach, core knowledge and guidelines about African musical arts With appropriate Illustrations and well chosen examples and exercises. In this book, he emphasizes practical experiences in musical arts creativity and performance to drive home his point. He also explores the traditional and technological resources, science of music and mind and traditional pre-historical past and present, in an attempt to make the African understand, appreciate and practice African music in the global context. This paper strives to bring to bare Nzewi's style, which dissociates him from the usual theoretical and creative philosophy of the Western world. His treatment of rhythm, pitch, tone and melody, for example, is original and authentic. It portrays a holistic approach to the units, which is conceptualized within daily African social and cultural lifestyle. In other words, the structure and context of the work are derived from Africa's traditional musical heritage, thus achieving global standard and acceptance.